Major-General Henry Edward Colvile was killed in a motor cycle accident on 25 November 1907, aged 55.
He served in the South African War (1899-1902), commanding the Guards Brigade at the Battle of Modder River and took part in the Battle of Magersfontein.
Late in May 1900, on the advance to Johannesburg, a Yeomanry battalion under Colvile’s command was cut off and forced to surrender. On being released by the Boers, Colvile was made a scapegoat and sent home. He retired from military service in 1901. Winston Churchill as an MP demanded an inquiry over Colvile’s dismissal from South Africa.
